In a photo provided by the Army, soldiers at a training graduation ceremony at Fort Benning, Ga., in March 2017. A number of drill sergeants at Fort Benning have been suspended amid an investigation into sexual misconduct, the Army disclosed on Aug. 23, 2017. (Patrick A. Albright/U.S. Army via The New York Times) -- FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY--

In a photo provided by the Army, soldiers at a training graduation...

The U.S. Army has sidelined numerous drill sergeants at its training center at Fort Benning, Georgia, amid allegations of sexual assault against at least one trainee, the service announced Wednesday.

The cases are under investigation by Army Criminal Investigation Command and the service’s Maneuver Center of Excellence, Army officials said. The investigation began after a female trainee accused a drill sergeant of sexual assault, and it expanded after that allegation “revealed indications of additional allegations of sexual misconduct involving trainees and drill sergeants,” the Army said in a statement. It declined to say how many drill sergeants are now under investigation.

The case marks the latest black mark against drill sergeants or drill instructors in the U.S. military, where trainees have little power as they transition into service life.

The Air Force faced a sprawling sexual assault scandal at its training center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio that began in 2009 and came to light in 2011. Dozens of drill sergeants ultimately faced court-martial for illegal sexual contact with trainees, including sexual assault and inappropriate consensual sexual relationships.